GM 8L90E Transmission FAQs

Are you considering replacing your GM 8L90E transmission? Read on to learn everything you need to know about these transmissions, from common issues to service requirements and the best course of action if your transmission is failing.

The GM 8L90E is a heavy-duty 8-speed automatic transmission based on the German ZF transmission. It was first introduced in 2015 on various GM products.

What Vehicles Are Compatible With The GM 8L90E Transmission?

The GM8L90E (officially called the GM8L90) is an 8-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. It has been used in a variety of sedans, vans, SUVs, and sports cars since its introduction in 2015. Some of the more popular vehicles it has been fitted to include:

If you are unsure whether your vehicle is fitted with the 8L90E, use our VIN decoder and Transmission Tag Number tools to ensure that you order the correct transmission.

What’s The Difference Between The 8L90 And 8L90E Transmissions?

GM transmissions used to have an E suffix that denoted electronic control for shifting, while transmissions without the E were hydraulically controlled. This naming practice fell away as more transmissions became electronically controlled, and there is no difference between the 8L90 and 8L90E, as it is the same unit.

How Does The 8L90E Compare To The 6L80E Transmission?

The 8L90E and 6L80E have similar external dimensions, but the 8L90E is a more modern design and features several refinements and upgrades over the older 6L80E. It has two additional gears, with closer ratios overall, which help with fuel economy and acceleration. The 8L90E can also handle more torque, and despite the extra components, it weighs a little less overall than the 6L80E.

Can The 8L90E Handle High-Performance Driving?

Yes, the 8L90E was designed to handle the demands of high-performance vehicles. However, it will wear out sooner if regularly pushed to its limits, and components like the clutch packs, torque converter, and valve body can fail prematurely. When choosing a fully remanufactured 8L90E transmission from Powertrain Products, you can opt for the upgraded Billet converter with a triple disc clutch.

However, keep in mind that our remanufactured transmissions are not intended for use on trucks with modified emissions systems, deleted emissions systems, or tuned vehicles. We do offer upgraded units for that purpose (contact us for more info) however, the warranty that comes with our stock units will be voided if used in this manner.

What Are Common 8L90E Transmission Problems?

The GM 8L90E is an advanced and versatile design that should operate problem-free for years, but some common issues have been noted over the years:

Torque Converter Shudder

Symptoms: A vibration or shudder can be felt through the vehicle while cruising at highway speeds or on a light throttle.

Causes: This can result from excessive wear, contaminated transmission fluid and some inherent design issues that are discussed below.

Harsh or Delayed/Slipping Gear Shifts

Symptoms: Overly harsh changes or slow gear engagement.

Causes: Dirty transmission fluid, faulty solenoids and valve body problems can all cause these symptoms.

Does The 8L90E Improve Shifting Over The Original 8L90?

The 8L90E is the same transmission as the 8L90. The naming confusion stems from GM’s use of an E suffix on some of its transmissions to show that the shifting was electronically and not hydraulically controlled. The 8L90 is an electronically controlled transmission however GM no longer uses the E at the end to denote this.

Has GM Addressed The 8L90E Shudder Problem?

One of the most common complaints with the 8L90E is the shuddering or vibrations that can occur when the torque converter is engaged. This usually happens at steady speeds and under light acceleration on the highway.

While GM did not issue an official recall, it did honor some customer claims under warranty. The fix for those not covered by the warranty was to carry out a full transmission system fluid flush and replace it with ultra-low-viscosity synthetic ATF. However, this does not always fix the shuddering problem, especially on older transmissions.

At Powertrain Products, we address the issue in a far more comprehensive manner. Every remanufactured GM 8L90E unit gets a fully remanufactured torque converter. We also offer a Billet converter with a triple disc clutch, which is ideal for heavy-duty use such as towing and helps eliminate the drivetrain shudder for good.

Where Should I Buy An 8L90E Transmission?

Buying a new GM-sourced transmission to replace your faulty unit will not fix inherent design flaws and will be very expensive. Sourcing a used transmission is cheaper, but you cannot know what condition it is in, and you are unlikely to get a warranty either.

That is why a professionally remanufactured transmission is the best value for the money, reliability, and peace of mind. We go beyond basic remanufacturing; we follow a thorough, precision-driven process that corrects known factory problems, making our transmissions better than OE. That’s why we offer up to a 7-year million-mile warranty. If you’re using this transmission for a 1-ton and up application, our 18 month, 50k mile Commercial Warranty will be applied to your purchase instead.

Keep in mind that our remanufactured transmissions are not intended for use on trucks with modified emissions systems, deleted emissions systems, or tuned vehicles. We do offer upgraded units for that purpose (contact us for more info) however, the warranty that comes with our stock units will be voided if used in this manner.

Our comprehensive remanufacturing process ensures that every transmission that leaves our premises will perform better than new:

• Each transmission is disassembled, inspected, and triple-cleaned. Threads are chased and new bushings are fitted.
• Our top technicians rebuild and inspect each valve body. Then, test them on our bespoke C.A.R.S. system, which emulates real-world conditions to ensure perfect functionality.
• Every remanufactured transmission gets new O-rings, gaskets, and seals during reassembly. Once assembled, intensive spin and load testing is conducted on our custom dyno machines.

We also offer an upgraded Billet Converter with Triple Disc Clutch for heavy-duty applications and as a way to permanently do away with the common OEM torque converter shudder.

Please note that the GM 8L90E transmission MUST be reflashed before it is put into service and all transmission oil coolers must be replaced for the warranty to take effect.

How Much Does The 8L90E Transmission Cost?

A fully remanufactured 8L90E transmission costs under $6k. This includes the core charge waiver credit. If you intend to keep your core, this credit will not be applied.

All transmissions come with a fully rebuilt torque converter. But, if you are planning to use your 8L90E for regular heavy-duty use, then it is well worth the extra spend to upgrade to our Billet heavy-duty triple disc converter.

We currently offer remanufactured transmissions for the following makes and models:

Will A Replacement Transmission Come With A Warranty?

Our remanufactured transmissions come with a 3-year standard warranty included. (If you’re using this transmission for a 1-ton and up application, our 18 month, 50k mile Commercial Warranty will be applied to your purchase instead.) You can then choose to upgrade – we have a range of extended warranty coverage options below to suit your needs:

• 5-year Extended Warranty
• 7-year Extended Warranty
• Pure Care No Fault Coverage

Can I Replace An 8L90E Transmission Myself?

Only if you are confident in your mechanical abilities, are able to follow all safety protocols meticulously to avoid injury or damage, and have the following tools (or the like) available:

• Vehicle lift
• Heavy-duty transmission jack
• Torque wrench set
• Breaker bar
• Pry bar
• Dedicated transmission removal tools

Replacing an 8L90E transmission is a demanding job that requires specialized tools and a strong grasp of the procedure. If you don’t have the knowledge, experience, or proper tools, it may be best to leave this job to the pros. It’s a big and heavy component, so the task can be difficult and potentially hazardous without prior experience. We’re happy to send your transmission to the shop of your choosing for installation.

Powertrain Products Transmission Resource List

Shop Powertrain Products For Your Remanufactured 8L90E Transmission

We are the nation’s leading supplier of engines, differentials, and transfer cases.

We have fully remanufactured 8L90E transmissions for many popular GM makes and models. We also offer hundreds of other transmission types to suit many makes and models. Always use our VIN decoder and Transmission Tag Number tools to ensure that you order the right transmission for your specific vehicle.

Every PPI transmission is remanufactured to be better than OEM:

• We Offer An Unbeatable Seven Year One Million Mile Warranty
• Newly Machined Parts Are Used And We Put Our Transmissions Through The Toughest Tests For Superior Reliability And Performance
• Known Factory Faults Are Rectified to Make Your Transmission Better Than OE

Call us at 888-842-0023 or contact us online for more information.